[icurschwartz]

I have loved the looks of the Torch ever since it came out but I'm one of those people who doesn't like to get new phones right away because I don't have the patience to mess with all of the bugs that inevitably plague new phones. However, my Bold is starting to aggravate me because of various software and speaker issues after my old one broke and I got a refurb to replace it. As a result, I'm thinking about dumping it and upgrading to a Torch.

I've got a few questions that I'd like to get your impressions on though before I go ahead and make the jump:

• Have the issues with laggy software improved? It seems like that was the number one complaint I read about on launch. Are you using a leaked OS or has ATT offered a stable release?
• How do you like the keyboard once you use it for a while? The Bold 9000 has an amazing keyboard for a big guy like me and when I've toyed with the Torch at the store the keys seem a little smaller. Is that something you've adapted to?
• How is the memory? That is one of the things that is frustrating me the most about the Bold, I don't have a lot of apps but I still have to do a restart once a day because my memory just goes down the tubes and the phone becomes unresponsive.

Any other impressions from former 9000 users would be appreciated!

[MidnightDraven]

The 9800 has 512MB of application memory vs the 9000's 128MB.

[icurschwartz]

I've read that but how much of that usually ends up as free by the time the OS and loaded apps are on it? I usually end up with around 16 - 20 MB of free space after my Bold boots up. How much is free on the Torch typically?

[tbird57]

I have 299.MB and have one extra theme installed(thinking about deleting,cause I always revert back to the stock theme,the best theme out there)

Installed apps
1. Berryweather(AWESOME app)
2. Weather Channel(cause of the radar)
3. Restart me
4. SixTools
5. Bloomburg Mobile
6. You Tube
7. Poynt
8. Google Mobile
9. CNN
10. Facebook
11. BB Messinger
12. app world
13. Quik Launch
14. Pattern Lock
15. win7 Theme

Pretty much all my devices are working great! I was on the fence during the first 30 days...with the latest OS update(.246) everything is OK! I know now,there is a learning curve with the device...once you reach that plateau with the device,it becomes second nature(somewhat) there are some hardware that could improve,and probably will in the future..and the software can only get better!

I am glad that I held on to them...its a good one!

[JLP]

Former 9000 user here...

Laggy software...I've been too lazy to do it myself yet, but everything I've heard here and elsewhere re: the .246 OS indicates that it is much improved

Keyboard...this was my biggest worry too. I found the 9000 to be the best I'd ever used and still feel that way. It takes some getting used to the smaller one on the 9800, but eventually I have (same can be said for using a touch screen). Part of it is psychological...realizing RIM will likely never again come out with a 9000-sized device...RIP.

Memory...my biggest frustration with the 9000 (along with the camera). I believe the Torch started around 350 MB free. I have a ridiculous number of apps and stuff on my Torch just because I can, and I am still over 200 MB free. As usual, the more memory on devices, the more the apps tend to bloat though. Have seen some very simple apps/games in the 3 to 4 MB range. But it is nice to be able to try things out and not have to worry about squeezing them into the Bold.

[icurschwartz]

That's definitely been my number one frustration with the Bold. It's a great phone but the limited memory just sucks.

[pateltjp]

Long time 9000 user, jumped right away to 9800.

Initially it was hard to get used to the miniature keyboard (compared to 9000). But once you get used to it -- its no big deal. Atleast I have adapted to it -- and touch keyboard is good too.
Memory wise its huge -- from about 10-20MB free on 9000 to close to 300MB free.
Everything about Torch is good when compared to 9000. I just don't like that some application are not yet available for Torch -- so either you end up installing Storm version or just can't install it.
Hope it helps!

[DrenMac]

Get the torch...I love my bold 9000 still but you will adapt to the smaller keyboard. like you I was a bit dubious because I'd seen the 9700 keyboard and they were going to be pretty much identical in size but for a guy with big paws typing isn't a problem.
Memory won't be a problem at all, I've got a long list of apps installed similar to the one listed in the previous post and they'll be room for that list twice over again.

Os .246 was good for me, only slight lag when swiping through home menu screens but this is much improved in os .284 which I've just upgraded to. The browser is smoother and renders quicker in this version too if u do decide to get the torch and upgrade the os straight away

Hope this helps
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[rob762]

loved my 9000, like the torch more except for 1 thing. The bold speaker was great, not so for the torch. It's passable for music, but barely...

Definately a learning curve though to get used to a touch screen and it's inherent quirks.

[Mandel]

Originally Posted by rob762

loved my 9000, like the torch more except for 1 thing. The bold speaker was great, not so for the torch. It's passable for music, but barely...

Definately a learning curve though to get used to a touch screen and it's inherent quirks.

Fully conquer to this.

I don't like my Torch. I absolutely love it.

[jcp007]

Never had lag with the original OS .141 and definitely not with OS .246. I have had the 9700, 9000 and 8310 and the Torch by far is the most solid keyboard with none of the clackiness that my other berries had. I have more than two and a half dozen apps and have 377 MB free. The trackpad is better than the 9700 which was one reason I upgraded from the 9000. The touchscreen, trackpad and physcial keyboard make messaging, multi-tasking, and web browsing a much more enjoyable and productive experience. The battery life is on par with my 9700. The OS 6 version .246 has made it that much better. The menus are intuitive but will take some getting used to coming from the 9000 but they allow more control from a device management and customization perspective.

[rbgatti]

What is the best version of Desktop Manager to have installed before doing a device swap from the 9000 to the 9800? I have 4.6 and heard 6.0 is buggy.

Thanks

[GoHawks63]

I too came from a 9000 I did a review a few weeks ago, but in short here are specific answers to your questions.

Keyboard - The keyboard on the 9000 was by far the best that RIM ever put on a device. You do get used to the keyboard on the Torch, but I still fat finger more than I did with the Bold 9000.

Performance (OS) - I noticed only occasional lagging with the original OS. Upgrading to .246 addressed it. The update went smoothly.

Memory - No issues.

Usability - I will vouch that if you're a hard core BB user, there is an adjustment period with the Torch. You have many different ways to navigate. Swipe, slide, touch, use the track pad or keyboard. After a week it felt second nature.

Overall I too am glad I held on to it. The touch screen is very good and I love the flexibility.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[nathan62969]

Echoing pretty much everything here -- If you love the Bold 9000 like I did, you'll probably be overjoyed with the Torch :-D

[SmoothOperator]

How about upgrading from the 9000 to the 9700? That's what I did, and I still love my 9700. I'll wait until all bugs and issues have been resolved before upgrading to the 9800, and I can get the 9800 cheaper then.

[jcp007]

Originally Posted by rbgatti

What is the best version of Desktop Manager to have installed before doing a device swap from the 9000 to the 9800? I have 4.6 and heard 6.0 is buggy.

Thanks

You will need to install the latest DM 6 which has been updated since the Torch was launched. Attach the old phone, back it up and attach the Torch. Migrate only data and settings only. Re-install compatible apps next.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[jcp007]

Originally Posted by SmoothOperator

How about upgrading from the 9000 to the 9700? That's what I did, and I still love my 9700. I'll wait until all bugs and issues have been resolved before upgrading to the 9800, and I can get the 9800 cheaper then.

I have had the Torch since launch day with no issues. I have since upgraded to the OS v.246. It is looking less likely that 9700 will be getting OS 6 anytime soon. Son that leaves the 9780. Once you go Torch, it would be hard to go back. With the Torch, you not only get a new OS and webkit browser but a touchscreen, trackpad and physical keyboard making messaging and web browsing great. The tabbed browsing and pinch to zoom/swipe/double-tap are great also.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[tbird57]

Pinch and zoom could be improved.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[jcp007]

Truer words were never spoken. However, coming from a 9000 which I have owned, the new webkit browser with the tabbed browsing and swipe is a welcome leap forward from previous RIM browsers. There is really no need to install a 3rd Party browser. The slightly under-powered processor as compared to the i4 or android devices has been optimized to work quite well by OS 6. I have a feeling that browsing experience will get better with the next official OS after version .246. The Torch performs well against my wife's i3Gs and very respectably versus the i4 and Captivate. Any expectations that it would kill either device are a bit unrealistic at best. The trackpad will be a welcome change from the trackball and in conjunction with the touchscreen and physical keyboard, the experience will be that much more profound coming from a 9000.

[ezrunner]

I jumped to the 9800 from the 9000 this morning not a single regret at this time. DO IT
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile